I looked around. Bodene stood by the fireplace, flanked by Tippi and George Buchanan in wingback chairs. Lori sat on the couch and Ladonna stood in front of the fire warming her hands. I was relieved to see an empty chair and headed straight toward it. Detective Sams entered the room behind me. “We’re waiting on one more person,” she said.

“Everyone needs to listen real close to what I have to say.” She surveyed the room, eyeing each of us to make her point. “For those of you who haven’t met him, this is Sergeant Gary Sargent.”

I guess my nerves got the best of me and I laughed out loud. Everyone stared at me.

Especially Sergeant Sargent. “Ms. Beaumont.” Suddenly I went from Trixie, to Ms. Beaumont. “If you’ve settled down now, I’ll continue.

“We are considering this a murder and I’m asking – no telling you – that you must remain in town for the next several days while we continue our investigation.”

Oh my goodness! What is Beau going to say? The first time I’m away from Beau since we’d been married and I discover a dead body. The nerves cranked up and a little laugh tried to escape. I fought it back. Fairly sure Detective Sams wouldn’t appreciate another interruption, I put my hand over my mouth to control any outbursts.

The detective wasn’t finished. “I want all of you to give your personal information to,” she looked directly at me before saying, “Sergeant Sargent. I need you to make other arrangements for the night, but you can come and go, as long as you are in touch by cell phone. The crime scene is off-limits for the rest of the day while we investigate. You’re dismissed.” I stood up, ready to make my escape, so I could call and check on Dee Dee and Nana. Then the detective pulled another rabbit out of her hat. “That is except for Ms. Beaumont.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Oh boy, I’m in trouble now. “Detective Sams, I’ve told you all I know.” I had the urge to hide under a piece of furniture. Life could be overwhelming at times and surely finding a frozen body would qualify as one of those.

This couldn’t be happening to me. I thought when I married Beau life would be beautiful and full of happy endings. I guess just because you’re in love doesn’t mean you’ll be without trials. That thought triggered an example of a Christian life. It doesn’t mean we won’t have trials, it means we’ll have the strength we need available to face our challenges head-on and come out smelling like scented laundry detergent.

“Let’s go back in the office, Trixie.” The detective’s voice shook me back to the present. “I have some information I want to share with you.” I followed her back into the same room we’d been in a few minutes earlier. “It seems you were the last person to see Annie Henderson alive. Ladonna told me she heard raised voices coming from behind closed doors and when she knocked, you were in the room with Ms. Henderson.”

“Yes, but…”

She motioned me to wait. “I’m not finished yet. And you discovered the body. This doesn’t look good for you. We still have the crime scene to investigate, and more questioning to do, but I’m letting you know you need to stay close by in case I need you.” She looked directly in my eyes and lowered her voice, “Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am, but I want to explain.”

“You’ll have enough time to explain later. The sergeant or I will be meeting with you again as well as the other guests. You have my word we’ll leave no stone unturned. If you’re not guilty then you don’t have anything to worry about.”

Yeah, sure. Easy enough for you to say.

Detective Sams stood directly in front of me. “I’ll have Sergeant Sargent accompany you to your room so you can grab a few things. Please leave your information with him and when you find out where you’ll be staying be sure and let us know.”

“Okay.” I swallowed a lump in my throat. After the sergeant left I hurried to my car so I could have some privacy to call someone who loved me. I longed to call Beau, but I knew he couldn’t drop what he was doing and run to my rescue.

My best friend picked up in two rings. “Hello.”

“Oh, Dee Dee.” I stifled a sob.

“What’s the matter, girl?”

I managed my next words through a veil of tears. “You’re not going to believe what happened.”

“What did ya’ do? Wait, let me guess, you found a dead body.” Raucous laughter shot through the phone.

Dead silence filled the air waves. “Oh – my – goodness. You did find a dead body. Trixie I’m so sorry. Where are you? We’ll come pick you up.”

I heard Nana in the background, begging Dee Dee to tell her what happened. Guilt riddled my thoughts. I loved Nana dearly, but I didn’t know how I was going to get through this and deal with Nana, too. I knew once she heard about the murder she’d want to get involved.

Detective Sams appeared to be capable of doing her job without my help. I had no desire to get involved, but I knew that once my editor, Harv, found out I’d discovered another corpse he’d insist I cover the story. Harv’s fascination with murder and mayhem guaranteed I’d become Georgia by the Way’s police reporter by default before long. I shuddered.

The gray day matched my mood. The bed and breakfast that had appeared stately, now seemed forlorn – a place destined to host death. I waited anxiously for Dee Dee and Nana to show up until they zipped up in a green Ford Fiesta. The little car stuck out like a lime in a basket of lemons.

Dee Dee exited the little car and scooted inside the passenger side of my P.T. Cruiser. “Brrr, it’s cold enough out there to make a snowman shiver.” She slammed the door and looked at me with her brown hang dog eyes. “Oh, Trixie, I’m so sorry. Come get in my car, it’s already warmed up, and you can tell us all about it.” She grabbed my camera and pocketbook, “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, I can come back later for more things. Where in the world did you get that car?”

“Don’t worry, the color grows on ya’. It was the only one left at the rental place. You ought to see all the looks thrown our way. Nana loves it – she waves at all the men, but I’m not sure if they’re seeing her or wondering if we’re advertising Vlasic pickles. Knowing Nana she probably thinks they’re staring at her. I didn’t tell her any different.” Dee Dee offered me a silly grin. I appreciated the attempt to cheer me up.

Nana sat in the front seat, so I slid into the back. My knee ached, so I gave it a brisk rub. The cold didn’t help. Nana turned around, and called me her pet name that drew more tears. “Sugah, I’m sorry this happened. Now tell us what we need to do.” Because we’d helped solve three previous murders, Nana had bragged to her friends that now we qualified as full-blown detectives. “Start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”

“How about we go get something to eat first? I haven’t had anything since last night. I could eat a bear.”

“Are you up for Sticky Fingers?” Dee Dee threw the pickle-mobile into gear.

“I’m not very hungry, but I’m sure I could eat a little,” Nana said.

“I think she was asking me, Nana.” When it came to food, Nana could out eat both of us.

We drove through beautiful downtown Chattanooga toward Broad Street. The historic buildings stood towering over the city. Even though it was a cold day, tourists strolled the sidewalks of downtown. We were lucky to find a parallel parking space close to the famous restaurant.

Couples holding hands, and families bundled in coats and scarves wove in and out of the various stores and restaurants. Children held treasures they had acquired from the gift shops that lined the streets. I turned my head at the clip-clop of hooves on pavement to see a horse drawn carriage with a young couple snuggling in the back seat. The pit of my stomach felt emptier; my distance from Beau greater than before. Yes, I was hungry, but this ache came from missing Beau.